Plaque lesions on the skin of the hands are the most common manifestation of scaly lichen. Psoriasis on the hands is a chronic disease that significantly impairs a person’s quality of life. It has special symptoms, as well as many prerequisites for development.
Causes of psoriasis on the hands
What causes a rash in the form of rough plaques on the palms and in the flexion area of the upper limbs? it is not always easy to understand immediately. The main causes of psoriasis on the hands are:
- hereditary predisposition to disease;
- due to infections, viruses and colds;
- metabolic disorders and hormonal pathology (diabetes mellitus);
- depressed situations, nervous disorders, emotional turmoil;
- frequent contact with aggressive chemicals (household chemicals, cosmetics);
- skin injuries (abrasions, wounds, abrasions, scratches).
People who are prone to allergic reactions are at risk for developing psoriatic psoriasis. In addition, malnutrition, alcohol and tobacco abuse, prolonged use of antidepressants, steroid medications can provoke scaly lichen.
Symptoms of manifestation
In adults, psoriasis begins in the elbows and hands. The first signs can be seen on the extensor part, when a small flat papule appears, which eventually grows large, forming a rough, round plaque of pale pink or red. Next, a rash appears on the palms of the hands. The skin becomes dry, thickened, acquires a dark red color, and sometimes cracks.
The development of psoriasis on the fingers can reach the nails. Initially, small holes form on it, and over time, the nail plate thickens, disappears and resembles a fungal infection. Therefore, people often wonder if scaly lichen is contagious? Psoriasis is a chronic disease that is not transmitted through handshakes or other contact. The predisposition to this disease can be transmitted genetically, but not the disease itself.
Another symptom of scaly lichen is the appearance of plaques with scales between the fingers. The skin in these places resembles calluses, equally rough and rough.
Forms of hand psoriasis
The course nature and clinical manifestations of scaly lichen are very diverse. The rash can not only affect the hands, but also affect the shoulders, neck, chest, especially if the child suffers from this disease. Hand psoriasis is the most common type of dermatosis, and can occur in several basic forms, as described below.
Plaque or ordinary
The skin in the affected area becomes denser, covered with a white crust and cracks, which sometimes bleed. The plaques merge into one group, forming large lesions.
The form of tears
The rash most often attacks the upper arms and shoulders. The plaque is tightly covered with white scales and looks like droplets. This type of psoriasis quickly spreads throughout the body, affecting the forearms and hips. It worsens especially after ingestion of streptococcus (the causative agent of tonsillitis, tonsillitis, ARVI).
Exudative or pustular squamous lichen
It is localized on the forearm, has a severe course - a lot of blisters with clear fluid, purulent process, as well as the appearance of a rash on the outside of the upper part.
Nail psoriasis
This shape is characterized by the appearance of longitudinal or transverse lines of white or gray color. The skin around the plate thickens, and the nail itself peels off and disappears, causing further destruction.
Like what the scaly hand shape clearly looks like in the photo.
If you do not start hand psoriasis treatment on time, the disease can trigger inflammation in the joints (psoriatic arthritis). The rash can spread to other areas of the body (head, legs, back, abdomen, chest).
Stages of skin disease
Psoriasis is a chronic disease that has a specific sequence of development. Depending on the intensity of disease manifestations and frequency of recurrence, there are 3 main stages of the disease:
- progressive - early stage - the appearance of several scaly papules on the hands, shoulders, between the fingers and on the elbows, accompanied by edema, inflammation, itching;
- stationary stage - a new rash does not occur, and the old plaque is covered with white scales, the affected area stops itching (the disease freezes in one place);
- regression level - symptoms begin to disappear (papules turn pale, dry plaques dissolve, skin is cleared, only small dark spots remain).
In a state of remission, psoriasis can be from 2-4 months to several years. New relapses get worse each time, causing gradual shrinkage and thickening of the stratum corneum in the hands, elbows, between the fingers and around the nail plate.
Pharmaceutical treatment
Scaly lichen, although not an infectious disease, brings a lot of discomfort and inconvenience. The main goal of drug treatment is to improve the general condition of the patient:
- removes flakes and itching;
- relieves inflammation;
- soothes the skin.
Therapy should be comprehensive and include several different groups of drugs for external and internal use.
- Hormonal - relieves inflammation, irritation, swelling, itching and pain, reduces papules with fluid in exudative psoriasis. In addition, the ointment eliminates the manifestations of allergies.
- Non -hormonal - zinc ointment, salicylic acid - relieves the main symptoms, does not cause side effects, acts gently on the skin, but is less effective than glucocorticosteroid (hormone) drugs.
- Homeopathy - used for severe exfoliation, itching, helps in the period of joint damage.
Homeopathy is effective only if chosen correctly, taking into account all the nuances of the course of the disease and the characteristics of the patient's body.
If there are poor results from local medications, the doctor may prescribe systemic therapy in the form of injections and pills. Such drugs intensively suppress the division of skin cells, detoxifying the body, thus eliminating the main symptoms, which helps improve the quality of life.
In addition to the main drugs aimed at preventing psoriasis, complex therapy uses funds to support the whole body:
- vitamins;
- liver support drugs - hepatoprotectors;
- sorbents - cleanse the intestines of toxins and poisons;
- antihistamines;
- immunomodulator.
Better to treat this or that form of psoriasis, experts will determine. He will combine medications to achieve maximum effect and not harm your body as a whole.
Folk remedies
Patients are often interested in how to cure psoriasis at home. In combating hand scaly lichen, herbal preparations and healing baths help well. In addition, folk remedies help enhance the action of drugs and the transition of the disease to the stage of remission.
Celandine bath
Pour the chopped grass (100 g) with 3 liters of boiling water and leave for 1-1, 5 hours. Pour the filtered liquid into a hot water bath (37-40 degrees). The duration of one procedure is not more than 15 minutes.
The course of treatment is 10-12 sessions, which can be carried out daily.
Collection of herbs for water manipulation
You need to mix in equal parts (50 g each):
- St. John's wort;
- wise;
- valerian root;
- celandine;
- inheritance.
Boil 30 g of collection in 250 ml of water for 5 minutes. Let the broth boil for 1. 5-2 hours, strain and add to a large bath container.
Herbal baths facilitate the course of the disease, soothe the skin, reduce inflammation and flaking, and most importantly, stop the spread of plaque further.
Propolis ointment
Melt 300 g of butter, add 20 g of chopped propolis, boil everything until a consistency is formed. With the ointment that has cooled, treat the affected part of the hand. This product is also suitable for compresses. Apply a small amount of medicine to a cotton pad, apply to the injured area, fix with a bandage.
Before applying the ointment, you need to treat the plaque with hydrogen peroxide and wait until it dries. This will increase the effect of folk remedies.
Tar birch
For 30-45 days, you need to lubricate the affected hand area with birch tar. It is better to do this an hour before bed. The material should remain on the skin for at least 10 minutes, after which it is washed off with warm water. Gradually, the residence time of the tar on the plaque increased to 30 minutes.
This medicine is most effective for treating skin diseases. Traditional medicine eliminates unpleasant symptoms and prolongs the period of remission for a long time.
Prevention of psoriasis on the hands
Hands more often than other parts of the skin experience a rash. The disease is difficult to treat due to constant hand contact with provoking factors. To achieve long -term forgiveness, it is important to adhere to the following precautions:
- do not let the skin dry out;
- use household chemicals with gloves;
- use specially selected hand creams;
- avoid contact with aggressive materials;
- seek medical help immediately when the first rash occurs;
- do not abuse alcohol and smoke.
In the prevention of hand psoriasis, attention should be given to proper nutrition. Fried, smoked, salty, fatty, spicy foods should be excluded from the diet. Not recommended to get carried away with chocolate and flour products. It is better to cook, steam or grill food, and heat fruits and vegetables with red pigments (cherries, strawberries, tomatoes) to heat the treatment.
Psoriatic rashes on the hands tend to recur. The disease cannot be cured, but will only temporarily disappear. The soothing period of psoriasis depends on proper treatment and prevention. Observe your lifestyle, follow your diet, avoid stress and treat the first manifestations of the disease in a timely manner.